*****
Later that day, the three brothers were gathered around the table in the dining hall as the waiters served dinner. They joined their mother for dinner, like they did everyday, and she obligingly never mentioned a word about King Frederic or Olhoe. Orion wasn’t in the mood to talk about anything after his break up with Sandra, but his brothers wouldn’t give him the time to be left alone with his thoughts. Back home on Olhoe, Orion would have been given all the time he wanted. Orion wished he were back in his old room, where he could hide away in the private room where he kept all of his secrets. They were usually bad memories that he had written down, like the journal he kept to record his progress on his pyrophobia. He hadn’t had time to keep a journal here, though, since his brothers took up too much time. He also kept several plants in his private room, hiding them from his father. King Frederic had never been too keen on keeping several plants in a room, especially not the ones that produced large, flowers that Orion kept. Orion liked them for their brightly colored leaves and flowers, although he figured that he’d cut all the flowers off because they reminded him too much of Sandra. He suddenly realized why his father didn’t like flowers.
“What’s bothering you, Bro?” Rick asked with a mouthful of pasta, interrupting Orion’s thoughts. Orion hadn’t touched his food. “You’re not still brooding on the fight you had with that girl, are you?” Empress Anita didn’t say anything. Rick and Joshua had told her what happened.
“It’s not that,” Orion lied, “It’s just that I-” he paused.
“You what?” Joshua pressed him.
“I miss it.” Orion said, barely audible.
“Miss what?” Joshua asked, trying to make a joke, “The lima beans we had yesterday? Yuck!” Orion glared at Joshua.
“Miss what, sweetie?” Empress Anita sounded concerned, hoping that she would be able to change the subject if Orion started talking about Sandra.
“Home.” Orion looked up. “I miss home.” Rick and Joshua looked at each other.
“But you are home, sweetie,” Empress Anita smiled at him, trying to cheer him. “Here, with me and your brothers. This is your home.”
“I know, but-” Orion looked down at his plate, “I miss everyone. I miss my friends, Jose, Kevin, Shane, Teddy, and my best friend, Chris. I miss my old training instructor, Bertha. I even miss Father.” Rick and Joshua glanced at Empress Anita, and she at Orion.
“Well, why don’t you go back, then?” she asked.
“No!” Orion jerked his head up in alarm. “I’m never going back!”
“I don’t mean forever, Orion,” she said in a soothing voice, “I mean for a few days. You know, go and see everyone again. Spend time with your friends, and then come back here.” She glanced sideways at him. “You could take your brothers for a tour of Olhoe.” Orion thought about this.
“Hey, that’s a great idea, Mother!” Rick stood up and leaned over to Orion.
“Yea! I’d like to see Olhoe,” Joshua agreed. “Will you take us, Orion? Please?” He and Rick watched Orion, and Orion smiled back at them.
“Sure, I’ll take you.”
“Alright! We’re going to Olhoe!” Rick and Joshua exclaimed.
“Calm down, boys!” Empress Anita laughed at their childish behavior. “You’re gonna have to be very careful on Olhoe. Remember the war.” Rick and Joshua became quiet at once. “I don’t want you two to go anywhere without Orion, okay?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Yea, okay.”
“Remember, boys, be careful,” she glanced at Orion, “all of you.” Orion returned her gaze.